Zwitterionic water-soluble substituted imine corrosion inhibitors

ABSTRACT

This invention is directed to a zwitterionic water-soluble imine of formula:                    
     wherein R 1  is heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl or lower alkyl; R 2  is alkyl, alkenyl, aminoalkyl, diaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, thioalkyl, alkylthioalkyl or arylalkyl; R 3  is hydrogen and lower alkyl, or R 1  and R 3  taken together form a cycloalkyl, p is 2, 3, 4 or 5; and Z is CO 2   − , OCO 2   − , SO 3   − , OSO 3   − , PO 3   −  or OPO 3   −  which are useful as ferrous metal corrosion inhibitors.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/188,519, filed Nov. 9, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,693 issued Nov. 30, 1999.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns zwitterionic water-soluble imine corrosion inhibitors, compositions comprising the corrosion inhibitors and a method of inhibiting corrosion of ferrous metal surfaces in contact with corrosive fluids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method for inhibiting the corrosion of ferrous metals. More particularly, this invention concerns a method for inhibiting corrosion of a ferrous metal subjected to aqueous acid environments. In narrower aspects, the present invention relates to an acidizing process for the removal of calcareous scale formations from a ferrous metal surface whereby corrosive attack of the metal substrate is inhibited.

In many industrial practices, the need to contact ferrous metal surfaces with strong acidic agents constantly arises. Particularly under numerous industrial circumstances equipment fabricated of ferrous metals such as boilers often accumulate scale formations which must be periodically removed in order to maintain the efficiency of the equipment involved. For example, it is common within the petroleum industry to utilize heater tubes in contact with crude oil containing emulsified aqueous solutions of inorganic salts, particularly those of calcium, in order to effect separation of oil and water. The briny solution, upon contacting the heated metallic surfaces, deposits a substantial portion of mineral content upon said surfaces in a form of insoluble calcareous formations. Consequently, in order to maintain reasonable efficiency of the heaters and to obviate burning out of the heater tubes it is necessary to remove the scale formations periodically that have formed. The latter is but one example of many of such operations in the petroleum field which requires frequent acidizing treatment of various pieces of equipment made of iron or a ferrous alloy. Also in many chemical processes it is necessary to store or transport acids, such as the common mineral acids, while in contact with ferrous metals. Accordingly, it can be seen that the practical situations necessitating the minimizing or obviating of the corrosive effect acidic materials, especially those of mineral origin, upon ferrous metal surfaces are legion.

Flow-induced localized corrosion (FILC) is a result of high shear conditions present in flow lines. The amount of corrosion that occurs is dependent on a variety of factors including the corrosiveness of the fluid flowing through the lines, the metallurgy of the line and the ability of added corrosion inhibitors to maintain adhesion to the interior of the line.

The ability of added corrosion inhibitors to maintain adhesion to the interior of the line depends on both the chemical adhesive properties of the inhibitor and the shear stress conditions which exist inside the line. A number of products have shown promise as shear-resistant corrosion inhibitors. Included among the corrosion inhibitors are amides and quaternized amines and amide amine salts.

Many nitrogen-containing corrosion inhibitors are known. Among them are: morpholine, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,167; imidazolines in U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,403; amidic acids in U.S. Pat. No. 2,742,498; bis-amides in U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,861; amines in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,211,840 and 5,714,664; amides in U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,575; and carbohydrazides in U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,966. The reaction of acrylic acid with substituted imidazolines to form various amine derivative corrosion inhibitors has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,300,235; 5,322,630; 5,322,640 and 5,427,999.

Schiff bases have been disclosed as corrosion inhibitors in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,567, in Materials Chemistry and Physics, 39 (1995) 209-213 and in Corrosion Science, 26 (1986) 827-837. Moreover, imines have also been disclosed as corrosion inhibitors, and as additives to corrosion inhibitor formulations. For example, imines have been disclosed as useful in conjunction with aromatic triazoles to enhance corrosion inhibition in U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,221; and imine dispersants have been utilized to enhance the activity of trithiones as CO₂ corrosion inhibitors in EP 0 275 651. Imines have been disclosed as corrosion inhibitors in U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,293; JP 74021024B and SU 318315A.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I have discovered certain novel zwitterionc imine compositions which inhibit corrosion of ferrous metal surfaces in contact with acidic fluids which contain water. Accordingly, in its principal aspect, this invention is directed to a zwitterionic water-soluble imine of formula:

wherein

R₁ is selected from heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl and alkyl;

R₂ is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aminoalkyl, diaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, thioalkyl, alkylthioalkyl and arylalkyl;

R₃ is selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl, or R₁ and R₃ taken together form a cycloalkyl,

p is 2, 3, 4 or 5; and

Z is CO₂ ⁻, OCO₂ ⁻, SO₃ ⁻, OSO₃ ⁻, PO₃ ⁻ or OPO₃ ⁻.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

“Alkyl” means a monovalent group derived from a straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon by the removal of a single hydrogen atom. Preferred alkyls are straight chain C₆-C₂₄ alkyl groups. More preferred alkyls are straight chain C₁₂-C₂₄ alkyl groups. Representative alkyls are the hydrocarbon residues of caproic acid, caprylic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid.

“Lower alkyl” means a C₁-C₅ straight or branched chain alkyl group. Representative lower alkyl include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, and the like.

“Alkylene” means a divalent group derived from an alkyl as defined herein by the removal of two hydrogen atoms. Representative alkylene include methylene, ethylene, propylene, and the like.

“Alkenyl” means a monovalent group derived from a hydrocarbon containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond by the removal of a single hydrogen atom. Preferred alkenyls are straight chain C₆-C₂₀ alkenyl groups containing 1, 2 or 3 double bonds. More preferred alkenyls are straight chain C₁₆-C₂₀ alkenyl groups containing 1, 2 or 3 double bonds. Still more preferred alkenyls are the hydrocarbon residues of palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid.

“Alkoxy” and “alkoxyl” mean a lower alkyl-O— group. Representative alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, and the like.

“Alkoxyalkyl” means a lower alkyl-O-alkylene group where the lower alkyl is defined herein and the alkylene is a straight chain alkylenyl radical of two to about five carbon atoms. Representative alkoxyalkyl groups include ethoxyethyl, propoxyethyl, butoxyethyl, and the like.

“Hydroxyalkyl” means a straight chain lower alkyl of two to about 5 carbon atoms substituted with hydroxy. Representative hydroxyalkyl groups include 2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, and the like.

“Thioalkyl” means a straight chain lower alkyl of two to about 5 carbon atoms substituted with —SH. Representative thioalkyl groups include 2-thioethyl, 3-thiopropyl, and the like.

“Alkylthioalkyl” means a lower alkyl-S-alkylene- group where the lower alkyl is defined herein and the alkylene is a straight chain alkylenyl radical of two to about five carbon atoms. Representative alkylthioalkyl groups include methylthioethyl, ethylthioethyl, methylthiopropyl, and the like.

“Aminoalkyl” means a Y₁NH—(CH₂)_(n)— group where n is 2 or 3 and Y₁ is C₁-C₃₀ alkyl or C₂-C₃₀ alkenyl. Preferred alkyl groups are C₁-C₁₁ alkyl. More preferred alkyl groups are C₁-C₅ alkyl. Preferred alkenyl groups are the hydrocarbon residues of palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid.

“Diaminoalkyl” means a Y₁NH—(CH₂)_(n)—NH—(CH₂)_(m)— group wherein Y₁ and n are defined herein and m is 2 or 3. Preferred alkyl groups are C₁-C₁₁ alkyl. More preferred alkyl groups are C₁-C₅ alkyl. Preferred alkenyl groups are the hydrocarbon residues of palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid.

“Cycloalkyl” means a non-aromatic monocyclic ring system of about 5 to about 6 carbon atoms. The cycloalkyl is optionally substituted with alkyl. C₁-C₃₀ alkyl groups are preferred, C₁-C₁₁ alkyl groups are more preferred and C₁-C₅ alkyl groups are still more preferred. Representative cycloalkyl groups include cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and the like.

“Aryl” means an aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic ring system of about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms. The aryl is optionally substituted with alkyl. Representative aryl groups include phenyl or naphthyl, anthracyl, and the like.

“Arylalkyl” means an aryl-alkylene- group where aryl and alkylene are defined herein. A preferred aryl group is phenyl. C₁-C₃₀ alkylene groups are preferred, C₁-C₁₁ alkylene groups are more preferred and C₁-C₅ alkylene groups are still more preferred.

“Heteroaryl” means an aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic ring system of about 5 to about 10 ring atoms, in which one or more of the atoms in the ring system is/are element(s) other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. Representative heteroaryl groups include furanyl, thiophenyl, pyridyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, and the like.

“Heterocyclyl” means a non-aromatic saturated monocyclic ring system of about 5 to about 6 ring atoms in which one or more of the atoms in the ring system is/are element(s) other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. Representative heterocyclyls include, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, tetrahydropyranyl, and the like.

Representative water-soluble zwitterionic imines according to this invention include, but are not limited to

3-(benzylidene-N-oleyliminium) propionate,

3-(cyclohexylidene-N-oleyliminium) propionate,

3-(propylidene-N-oleyliminium) propionate,

3-(isopropylidene-N-oleyliminium) propionate

3-(furylidene-N-oleyliminium) propionate,

3-(benzylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) iminium) propionate,

3-(cyclohexylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) iminium) propionate,

3-(propylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) iminium) propionate and

3-(isopropylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) iminium) propionate.

In a preferred aspect of this invention, Z is CO₂ ⁻.

In another preferred aspect of this invention, R¹ is selected from phenyl, cyclohexyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, dodecyl and furanyl.

In another preferred aspect of this invention, R² is propyl oleyl amine or C₁₂-C₂₄ straight-chain alkenyl.

In another aspect, this invention is directed to a method of inhibiting corrosion in metallic flow lines for carrying fluids comprising adding to the fluids an effective amount of a water-soluble zwitterionic imine of formula

wherein

R₁ is selected from heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl and alkyl;

R₂ is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aminoalkyl, diaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, thioalkyl, alkylthioalkyl and arylalkyl;

R₃ is selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl, or R₁ and R₃ taken together form a cycloalkyl,

p is 2, 3, 4 or 5; and

Z iS CO₂ ⁻, OCO₂ ⁻, SO₃ ⁻, OSO₃ ⁻, PO₃ ^(− or OPO) ₃ ⁻.

The corrosion inhibitor may be added to the fluid in the form of a solution or dispersion in water or an organic solvent. Examples of suitable solvents are alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, isobutanol, secondary butanol, glycols and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.

The amount of active ingredient in the corrosion inhibitor formulation required to achieve sufficient corrosion protection varies with the system in which it is used. Methods for monitoring the severity of corrosion in different systems are well known, and may be used to decide the effective amount of active ingredient required in a particular situation. The compounds may be used to impart the property of corrosion inhibition to a composition for use in an oil or gas field application and which may have one or more functions other than corrosion inhibition, e.g. scale inhibition.

The imines described herein have been shown to be extremely effective for inhibiting mild steel corrosion, in hydrocarbon, oil/brine mixtures and aqueous systems under a variety of conditions. The inhibitor is most successful on sweet systems, or systems having a high CO₂ content. However, use of the compound in systems having sour conditions (high H₂S concentration) is also acceptable. Although fluid content of the flow lines may vary, the inhibitor may be used in a variety of environments. Oil cuts in the field can range from less than 1% (oil field) to 100% (refinery) oil, while the nature of the water can range from 0-300,000 ppm TDS (total dissolved solids). In addition, this material would not only be useful in the large diameter flow lines (LDF's) of from about 1 inch to about 4 feet in diameter, but would also work in small gathering lines, small flow lines and headers. In the preferred method, the imine inhibitor is added at any point in the flow line upflow from the point at which corrosion prevention is desired.

In practice, the imine inhibitor is preferably added to the flow line continuously to maintain a corrosion inhibiting dose of from about 0.01 to about 5,000 ppm. More preferably, the corrosion inhibiting dose is from about 1 to about 500 ppm. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the corrosion inhibiting dose is from about 1 to about 250 ppm. Although a most preferred use of the compound in the claimed method is for metallic flow lines comprising mild steel, it is believed that the inhibitor is also effective in inhibiting the corrosion in other types of metallurgy. In certain cases, batch treatments are the method of choice for application of the imine inhibitor.

Dosage rates for batch treatments range from about 0.1 to about 50,000 ppm.

In a preferred aspect of this invention, the flow rate of the flow line in which the inhibitor is used is between 0 to 65 feet per second. A more preferred flow rate is between 0 to 40 feet per second. A still more preferred flow rate is between 0 and 35 feet per second. In some cases, the imine may be formulated in water in order to facilitate addition to a flow line.

The imine may be used alone or in combination with other compounds. Typical formulations of the imine may use alcohols or glycols as pour point depressants or surfactants, such as ethoxylated nonylphenols and/or ethoxylated amines as wetting agents or additives for dispersing the imine into the stream into which it is added.

Typical alcohols are C₁-C₃ linear or branched alkyl groups and are used as pour point depressants. Useful glycols include ethylene and propylene glycols and are also used as pour point depressants.

Surfactants utilized should be water soluble and allow the product to better wet the surface of the flow line where corrosion may take place. Water soluble surfactants utilized may be non-ionic, cationic, or anionic and will generally have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of about 1. Oil soluble surfactants may be utilized if it is desired to disperse the imine composition into a hydrocarbon fluid. Oil soluble surfactants may be non-ionic, cationic or anionic. These surfactants typically have an HLB value less than 7.

Other compounds which may also be blended with the imine are quaternary amines, such as fatty, cyclic or aromatic amines quaternized with lower alkyl halides or benzyl chloride and certain amides. In addition, formulations including the imine inhibitor may include filming agents such as p-toluene sulfonic acid and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid. The corrosion inhibitor may also contain the materials which are typically included in corrosion inhibiting compositions e.g. scale inhibitors and/or surfactants. In some instances, it may be desirable to include a biocide in the composition.

Accordingly, in another aspect, this invention is directed to a composition comprising:

a) a zwitterionic water-soluble imine of formula:

wherein

R₁ is selected from heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl and alkyl;

R₂ is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aminoalkyl, diaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, thioalkyl, alkylthioalkyl and arylalkyl;

R₃ is selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl, or R₁ and R₃ taken together form a cycloalkyl,

p is 2, 3, 4 or 5;

Z is CO₂ ⁻, OCO₂ ⁻, SO₃ ⁻, OSO₃ ⁻, PO₃ ⁻ or OPO₃ ⁻,

b) a water soluble surfactant, and

c) water.

In a preferred aspect of this invention, the surfactant is selected from ethoxylated alkyl amine and ethoxylated nonylphenol.

In another preferred aspect of this invention, the composition further comprises a pour point depressant selected from alcohols and glycols.

In another preferred aspect of this invention, the composition further comprises a a co-inhibitor selected from amides, quaternized amines and amide amine salts.

In another preferred aspect of this invention, the composition further comprises a a filming agent selected from p-toluenesulfonic acid and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid.

In a more preferred aspect, this invention is directed to a composition comprising:

a) a zwitterionic water-soluble imine of formula:

wherein

R₁ is selected from heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl and alkyl;

R₂ is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aminoalkyl, diaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, thioalkyl, alkylthioalkyl and arylalkyl; and

R₃ is selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl, or R₁ and R₃ taken together form a cycloalkyl,

b) a water-soluble surfactant selected from the group consisting of: ethoxylated alkyl amine and ethoxylated nonylphenol;

c) a pour point depressant selected from the group consisting of: alcohols and glycols;

d) a co-inhibitor selected from the group consisting of: amides, quaternized amines and amide amine salts;

e) a filming agent selected from the group consisting of: p-toluene sulfonic acid and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid; and

f) water.

A representative composition according to this invention is prepared by blending the following ingredients into a homogeneous mixture. A preferred order of addition is as follows: a) imine, b) methanol or isopropanol, c) alkyl pyridine benzyl chloride quaternary salt wherein the alkyl group is a methyl, ethyl or disubstituted group, ethoxylate alkyl having a certain carbon length of from about C₁₀ to about C₃₀ and having 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of amine, water and p-toluene sulfonic acid. The order of addition is not critical to the invention as long as the resulting mixture is homogeneous.

A representative composition is as follows:

Compound % by weight

water 10-60

methanol 5-30

isopropanol 5-30

p-toluene sulfonic acid 0-5

ethoxylated alkyl amine surfactant 2-15

imine corrosion inhibitor 5-50

alkyl pyridine benzyl chloride quat 0-15

The inhibitor formulation may be used in a variety of petroleum operations in the gas and oil industry. It can be used in primary, secondary and tertiary oil recovery and be added in known manner. Another technique is primary oil recovery where they can be used is the squeeze treating technique, whereby they are injected under pressure into the producing formation, are adsorbed onto the strata and absorbed as the fluids are produced. They can further be added in the water flooding operations of secondary oil recovery as well as be added to pipelines, transmission lines and refinery units. They may also be used to inhibit acid solution in well acidizing operations.

The following examples are presented to describe preferred embodiments and utilities of the invention and are not meant to limit the invention unless otherwise stated in the claims appended hereto.

EXAMPLE 1

The zwitterionic imine corrosion inhibitors of the instant invention are the result of Michael addition of acrylic acid to various imines under standard conditions to form the zwitterions. In a typical procedure, 0.1 mol of imine (prepared by combining an aldehyde or ketone with a primary amine in the standard manner) was placed in a round bottom 4-neck flask equipped with a stirrer, thermocouple and addition funnel. To the imine was added 0.1 mol of a commercial grade of acrylic acid (available from BASF of Parsippany, N.J.). The exotherm was noted and the mixture was then heated to 120° C. for two hours. Table I is representative of reactants and zwitterionic imine corrosion inhibitors which were synthesized in this manner. Products 1-3 are unacrylated imines, synthesized for the purpose of comparison to the acrylated imines of the instant invention, represented by products 4-16.

TABLE I Starting Materials Product Name Inhibitor TOFA/DBTA¹ imidazoline + propylidene TOFA/DETA imidazoline 1 propionaldehyde TOFA/DETA¹ imidazoline + furylidene TOFA/DETA imidazoline 2 furfuraldehyde TOFA/DETA¹ imidazoline propylidene TOFA/DETA amide 3 monoamide + propionaldehyde benzal oleylamine + acrylic acid 3-(benzylidene-N-oleyliminium) propionate 4 cyclohexylidene oleylamine + acrylic 3-(cyclohexylidene-N-oleyliminium) 5 acid propionate n-propylidene oleylamine + acrylic 3-(propylidene-N-oleyl iminium) propionate 6 acid iso-propylidene oleylamine + acrylic 3-(isopropylidene-N-oleyliminium) 7 acid propionate furfurylidene oleylamine + acrylic 3-(furylidene-N-oleyl iminium) propionate 8 acid benzal oleyldiamine + acrylic 3-(benzylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) 9 acid iminium propionate cyclohexylidene oleyldiamine + 3-(cyclohexylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) 10  acrylic acid iminium) propionate n-propylidene oleyldiamine + acrylic 3-(propylidene-N-(oleyl aminopropyl) 11  acid iminium) propionate iso-propylidene oleyldiamine + acrylic 3-(isopropylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) 12  acid iminium) propionate furfurylidene oleyldiamine + acrylic 3-(furylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) 13  acid iminium) propionate dodecylidene oleyldiamine + acrylic 3-(dodecylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) 14  acid iminium) propionate dodecylidene ethanolamine + acrylic 3-(dodecylidene-N-(hydroxyethyl) iminium) 15  acid propionate propylidene TOFA/DETA¹ 3-(2-(propylidene TOFA/DETA¹ 16  imidazoline + acrylic acid imidazolinium)) propionate ¹= product of reaction of tall oil fatty acid and diethylene triamine in 1:1 mole ratio

EXAMPLE 2

Wheelbox coupon corrosion tests were conducted to evaluate the imine corrosion inhibitors of the present invention, synthesized as described in Example 1, in comparison with conventional corrosion inhibitors. The tests were conducted at 80° C. in a rotary oven. The coupons used were flat and rectangular and made of carbon steel which had been water quenched and hardened. To prepare the coupons, metal surfaces were sand blasted, washed in an alcohol/toluene mixture and dried. Suitably prepared coupons were weighed and placed individually in sample bottles.

The test medium was made up comprising 90% by volume of a seawater brine and 10% by volume of a paraffinic hydrocarbon. If H₂S was used to simulate sulfide conditions, the paraffinic hydrocarbon used was sparged with H₂S. Each bottle was dosed with a measured amount of the inhibitor to be tested (10, 25 or 50 ppm). Finally, the coupons were placed in the bottles which were then capped and shaken.

The oven was heated to 80° C. and loaded with the coupon containing bottles. The bottles were rotated in the oven for a period of 24 hours. After cleaning and drying, the coupons were reweighed and a percent corrosion inhibition was calculated using the formula: (average blank weight loss−weight loss of treated coupon/average blank weight loss ×100). Each coupon was also visually inspected and the appearance was recorded.

In one set of corrosion tests, the bottle headspace was air. In another set of corrosion tests, additional steps were taken to exclude most of the air. Where a substantially air-free environment was desired, argon was bubbled through both the brine and the hydrocarbon. Each of the inhibitors of Table I did show corrosion inhibition characteristics.

EXAMPLE 3

A “stirred kettle” apparatus was utilized to measure the corrosion inhibition capabilities of the zwitterionic imines under several different fluid flow rates.

The stirred kettle apparatus used consisted of a one liter resin kettle with a four neck removable top. An overhead stirred was used to agitate the fluids and a sparge tube was used to purge the fluids with N₂ to remove any O₂. A thermocouple and temperature controller were used to monitor/maintain the temperature of the system. The fluids used for the tests consisted of varying ratios of brine and a mineral oil or kerosene. A baseline corrosion rate was measured and the system was then dosed with the corrosion inhibitor. Corrosion rates were measured using a probe with two electrodes (reference and working). The probes were connected to a CORRATER (Rohrbach Instruments, Santa Fe Springs, Calif.), which recorded corrosion rates at periodic intervals. The CORRATER used the method of linear polarization resistance (LPR) to determine corrosion rates. The data was then downloaded to a spreadsheet software program which allowed graphical interpretation of the results. Concentration/dosage for each potential inhibitor tested was the same. Table II illustrates the results, which provide a quantitative measure of corrosion inhibition. Unacrylated imines 1-3 do not perform well at all in this test.

Each test was performed twice so two data points are listed for each reading. Use of the zwitterionic imines 4,7 and 16 results in lower corrosion rate and greater protection than the unacrylated conventional treatment A.

TABLE II Corrosion Corrosion Corrosion Rate Rate after % Rate after % Inhibitor before 2 hours protection 14 hours protection Conventional 395/424 302/349 23/18  76/101 81/76 Formulation A¹ 4 516/249 136/80  74/68 59/38 89/84 7 489/430 133/104 73/76 61/46 88/89 16  532/545 182/188 66/65 47/45 91/92 ¹= unacrylated conventional inhibitor formulation containing quaternary amine and imidazoline active ingredients, available from Nalco/Exxon Energy Chemicals, L.P. of Sugar Land, Texas

The present invention is illustrated by way of the foregoing description and examples. The foregoing description is intended as a non-limiting illustration, since many variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view thereof. It is intended that all such variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims be embraced thereby.

Changes can be made in the composition, operation and arrangement of the method of the present invention described herein without departing from the concept and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims: 

What is claimed is:
 1. A zwitterionic water-soluble imine of formula:

wherein R₁ is selected from heteroaryl, aryl, C₅-C₆ cycloalkyl and C₆-C₂₄ alkyl; R₂ is selected from alkenyl, aminoalkyl, and hydroxyalkyl; R₃ is selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl, or R₁ and R₃ taken together form a C₅-C₆ cycloalkyl, p is 2, 3, 4 or 5; and Z is CO₂ ⁻, OCO₂ ⁻, SO₃ ⁻, OSO₃ ⁻, PO₃ ⁻ or OPO₃ ⁻.
 2. The zwitterionic water-soluble imine of claim 1 wherein Z is CO₂ ⁻.
 3. The zwitterionic water-soluble imine of claim 2 wherein R₁ is selected from phenyl, cyclohexyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, dodecyl and furanyl, or R₁ and R₃ taken together form a C₅-C₆ cycloalkyl.
 4. The zwitterionic water-soluble imine of claim 3 wherein R₂ is propyl oleyl amine or C₁₂-C₂₄ straight-chain alkenyl.
 5. A zwitterionic water-soluble imine selected from 3-(benzylidene-N-oleyliminium) propionate, 3-(cyclohexylidene-N-oleyl-iminium) proprionate, 3-(propylidene-N-oleyliminium) propionate, 3-(isopropylidene-N-oleyliminium) propionate, 3-(furylidene-N-oleyliminium) propionate, 3-(benzylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) iminium) propionate, 3-(cyclohexylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) iminium) propionate, 3-(propylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) iminium) propionate, 3-(isopropylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) iminium) propionate, 3-(furylidene-N-(oleyl-aminopropyl) iminium) propionate, 3-(dodecylidene-N-(oleylaminopropyl) iminium) propionate and 3-(dodecylidene-N-(hydroxyethyl) iminium) propionate.
 6. A composition comprising: a) a zwitterionic water-soluble imine of formula:

 wherein R₂ is selected from heteroaryl, aryl, C₅-C₆ cycloalkyl and C₆-C₂₄ alkyl; R₂ is selected from alkenyl, aminoalkyl, and hydroxyalkyl; R₃ is selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl, or R₁ and R₃ taken together form a C₅-C₆ cycloalkyl, p is 2,3, 4 or 5; Z is CO₂ ⁻, OCO₂ ⁻, SO₃ ⁻, OSO₃ ⁻, PO₃ ⁻ or OPO₃ ⁻, b) a water soluble surfactant, and c) water.
 7. The composition of claim 6 wherein the surfactant is selected from ethoxylated alkyl amine and ethoxylated nonylphenol.
 8. The composition of claim 6 further comprising a pour point depressant selected from alcohols and glycols.
 9. The composition of claim 6 further comprising a co-inhibitor selected from amides, quaternized amines and amide amine salts.
 10. The composition of claim 6 further comprising a filming agent selected from p-toluenesulfonic acid and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid.
 11. A composition comprising: a) a zwitterionic water-soluble imine of formula:

 wherein R₁ is selected from heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, C₅-C₆ cycloalkyl and C₆-C₂₄ alkyl; R₂ is selected from C₆-C₂₄ alkyl, alkenyl, aminoalkyl, diaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, thioalkyl, alkylthioalkyl and arylalkyl; and R₃ is selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl, or R₁ and R₃ taken together form a C₅-C₆ cycloalkyl, b) a water-soluble surfactant selected from the group consisting of: ethoxylated alkyl amine and ethoxylated nonylphenol; c) a pour point depressant selected from the group consisting of: alcohols and glycols; d) a co-inhibitor selected from the group consisting of: amides, quaternized amines and amide amine salts; e) a filming agent selected from the group consisting of: p-toluene sulfonic acid and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid; and f) water. 